The Strongest Beast-Tamer (Transmigration)(GL) - Chapter 13

As the crowd gasped one after another, Qin Rong pushed forward through the group to see for herself. Inside the tank of clear water, the purple yuanxiao was surrounded by a school of fish like a queen, swimming among them as they twisted into long, spiraling patterns.

To Yi Xian’s eyes, these twisting trails looked like adorable expressions floating in the water.

“What is that weird thing?!”

“You don’t even know this?”

Yi Xian looked at Qin Rong in mock surprise before cheerfully revealing the answer.

“The reason I can catch so many fish isn’t just because of the fish scoop. More importantly, Lan Tong helped me catch a true ruler of the waters.”

Lan Tong glanced sideways at her with those deep, peach-blossom eyes, a half-smile tugging at her lips. The look made Yi Xian’s heart skip. She hurried to straighten her expression.

“Don’t be fooled by how still it usually is. Once it touches water, as you all can see, it attracts schools of fish.”

No one was more excited than the little one, who, unable to reach the tank, resorted to slapping Lan Tong in the face while giggling and shouting.

“So what does that have to do with the poisoner?”

“Exactly.”

“Since Qin Rong claims everyone who ate the fish I delivered got sick, then the fish must have passed through the poisoner’s hands as well, not just mine.”

Yi Xian reached into the tank and scooped out the purple yuanxiao that had been playing freely in the water. The round ball was cold to the touch, just like the first time she held it. She thought it might make a decent cooling agent during summer. Her thoughts drifted for a moment.

“You’re saying this thing can detect the poisoner’s scent?”

Yi Xian quickly reined in her wandering mind and replied, “Lord Lu, as expected, you are incredibly wise. This water king can indeed recognize scents. If you don’t believe me, we can run a little test.”

Testing was easy enough.

They could pick a few people at random, let them touch the fish, and see how the yuanxiao reacted. Surprisingly, many volunteered, including several beastmen. Clearly, most still doubted Yi Xian’s innocence.

A flicker of unease crossed Qin Rong’s face, though she composed herself and said calmly, “Even if it can identify someone who touched the fish, how does that prove poisoning?”

Yi Xian only smiled. “You’ll see soon.”

Lan Tong watched the human woman’s calm and confident smile without blinking. For some reason, she found Yi Xian more captivating than before.

Smack.

“Ah ah!”

A little hand once again slapped Lan Tong’s face, shattering her fleeting thoughts.

With Lord Lu’s support, the test began quickly before the gathered crowd. Yi Xian faced away from the audience as others who had come in contact with the fish were brought on stage, including Lu Nan, who had helped her gut the fish. They all waited for the yuanxiao’s response.

As Yi Xian gently stroked the round purple creature in her arms, Qin Rong grew increasingly anxious, both eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

Lord Lu, now quite intrigued, commanded her guards to maintain order. “Begin.”

Yi Xian went to each person with the yuanxiao, and every time it caught the scent of fish on someone’s hands, it reacted with exaggerated fear, its eyes wide in panic as if it had seen a ghost.

Yi Xian suppressed her laughter, comforting the nearly distressed yuanxiao until the test was complete. She then identified who had touched the fish and who hadn’t. Judging by the stunned reactions, the yuanxiao had been right every time.

Clap, clap.

Lord Lu applauded, then sneered. “Even if it proves some of them touched the fish, that does not clear your name. You are still the most suspicious.”

Yi Xian didn’t argue. She smiled mysteriously.

“No need to panic. Please keep watching.”

She held the yuanxiao and moved among the poisoned humans. When she reached Zhu Yu, the yuanxiao began shaking its head so violently it blurred. Lan Tong frowned slightly. Even Lord Lu, who had only been enjoying the show, grew thoughtful.

“Things are getting more interesting.”

Zhu Yu’s pale face lost even more color. Her lips trembled, and her gaze involuntarily shifted toward Qin Rong.

Yi Xian stepped past Zhu Yu and stood before Qin Rong.

“Physician, to avoid any suspicion, I think it’s best you let the fish king check you as well.”

Qin Rong instinctively stepped back. Her retreat drew sharp looks from several around her. She stiffened.

“I already examined the fish after they fell ill. That means I touched them. There’s no need to test me.”

Yi Xian suddenly smiled and gently patted the yuanxiao’s smooth head.

“Then may I ask, Physician, how exactly did you detect poison in the fish?”

Qin Rong replied, “From the leftover scraps, of course.”

Yi Xian’s smile widened.

“Then you should remember how many fish you touched, yes?”

Qin Rong grew wary. “I don’t recall. Most were brought to me. I focused on analyzing the poison, not counting the fish. Yi Xian, stop playing games. Hand over the antidote.”

Yi Xian took a step closer.

“To prove your innocence, it would be best to let the fish king check you.”

Qin Rong snapped, “I’ve pleaded for you again and again, yet you press me like this. Are you implying I am the poisoner? What’s the point of all this?”

Yi Xian stood firm.

“What are you afraid of? It’s just a test. Everyone else did it. Are you… feeling guilty?”

Lord Lu was losing patience.

“If you are innocent, then what is there to fear? Test her.”

Qin Rong’s face turned red. Reluctantly, she extended her hand.

“Fine, test me. But once it’s done, bring out the antidote. Zhu Yu and the others cannot wait.”

As Yi Xian brought the yuanxiao close to Qin Rong, she suddenly paused.

“One more thing I forgot to mention. The more fish one touches, the stronger the smell. The fish king is especially sensitive to that. Its reaction will be much more intense.”

Qin Rong went silent.

She tried to pull back, but Yi Xian grabbed her arm. The yuanxiao began trembling so violently it nearly fell from her hands. It even tried to roll away from Qin Rong. Yi Xian caught it just in time.

She scoffed. “Looks like you touched quite a lot of fish, Physician.”

The little one happily slapped Lan Tong again.

Lan Tong said flatly, “Seems everything is clear now.”

Qin Rong’s face turned ashen. She tried to defend herself.

“No, it’s not what you think. Listen, I only touched the fish because—”

Yi Xian interrupted her.

“Because you were busy poisoning them and did it carelessly.”

The crowd began to murmur, their expressions shifting as realization dawned.

Qin Rong tried to explain further, but every attempt was cut off by Yi Xian. The frustration mirrored what she had once inflicted on others.

Finally, she burst out in anger.

“Yi Xian, stop twisting things! Even if I touched the fish, it doesn’t mean I poisoned them!”

Yi Xian stared at her with cool disdain.

“Physician, do not panic. I also have proof that it was you who poisoned them.”